Poly Hardware Design

Poly (Plantronics + Polycom) offers a multitude of communication and collaboration solutions. The current portfolio includes: Headsets and headphones, video cameras, microphones, speakerphones, desk phones, and ambient noise management systems. Our team is responsible for hardware UX/IxD, Human Factors/ergonomics and research. I also occasionally lead Industrial Design efforts.

Poly Trio C60

Poly’s newest speakerphone ensures that anyone walking into a conference room or huddle space can easily jump on an audio call or video conference, thanks to the simplicity of one-touch joining. Poly’s signature audio ensures that everyone around the table can be heard by the far end…it really is that good. For larger rooms, expansion microphones deliver authentic audio for even large conference rooms.

There were a number of design challenges with the new Trio speakerphone - most of which involved not breaking the positive attributes of the legacy Trio 8000 series. Technology can be intimidating, and making the user feel more comfortable interacting with Trio was one of our design team’s top priorities. To solve this, we created softer forms, incorporated textiles, and utilized a softer color palette (both for the hardware and software). My team extended this philosophy of familiarity to the UI as well, borrowing colors and visuals from nature (biophilia).

My team’s role: We were responsible for embedded UI/HMI design (Poly’s software is an Android-based cross-platform solution), device management platform design (Poly Lens), usability testing, ergonomic development and testing (installation and usage), and summative design validation research.

My role: Creative Direction / Team Leadership

Poly Studio X30/X50 Video Conferencing Systems

The Poly Studio X30 and X50 offer easy-to-install, and easy to use video conferencing options for every application, from SMBs to large enterprises; huddle spaces to large conference rooms.

Both devices run Poly’s flexible embedded software, which supports a number of conferencing partners including Microsoft Teams and Zoom. The X-series camera/soundbar can be mounted above or below a television/monitor, and can be paired with a Poly TC8 room controller. Both models of the X-series provide a full on-screen touch interface experience, or can be controlled via a wireless remote.

The TC8 room controller provides all of the features of the X-series within arm’s reach of the user. Like the X-series, the TC8 runs Poly’s embedded software which supports a multitude of partner applications (Teams, Zoom, etc.).

This rendering shows the startup screen for both the X30 and X50. One of the design tenets for the Poly UI is the use of cinematic imagery. The LED indicator array, or “light cove”, shows the user where the camera is focused, while communicating mute status, call state and more.

Poly’s embedded software supports a number of partners, including Zoom, Microsoft Teams and others. The OS is also capable of running Poly’s proprietary conferencing system. The biggest challenge for our team is to deliver a holistic experience, when we don’t always control the UI. The balance between supporting our partners, and providing our own experiential elements, is a delicate balance. Below are examples of Poly’s proprietary conferencing system.

Home screen with calendar and camera self-view

Place a call screen with favorites and recents

My role: Creative Direction / Team Leadership

Elara 60 Smartphone Dock

Elara is a Microsoft Teams-enabled device which bridges the gap between the smartphone and the desk phone by providing a dial-pad, handset, speakerphone and headset for the smartphone user, with the added benefit of wireless Qi charging.

Elara connects to the Microsoft Teams app, and displays alerts and reminders, while providing the user with quick access to Cortana.

Innovation to Production
The Elara program was initiated and funded as an innovation effort, and we were structured as a small cross-functional team with the mandate to move fast and avoid any potential internal process roadblocks. I managed the program with a small subset of our PLT Design team (ID, UX, HF and Research), and acted as the liaison with Microsoft, while working with our OEM supplier on the ground in China. We were able to move from initial concept to highly-functional prototype in about four months.

Designed for Audio, Video and Content
Elara’s wireless Qi charger supports both landscape and portrait orientations. The smartphone cradle adjusts for the optimal viewing angle for telephony, video conferencing and media/content viewing - this also helps to mitigate glare in nearly all ambient light environments.

Companion App
In addition to the embedded UI, our UX team designed a small, lightweight companion app which allows the user to update device firmware, and adjust settings and preferences for both the base and headset. Our research clearly showed that users didn’t want to be forced to learn yet another interface - so we deferred to the app UI wherever possible; limiting the device UI to more frequently used settings.

Why a Traditional Handset?
There are some desk phone users who simply won’t give up their traditional handset and dial-pad. For those users, Elara helps facilitate the transition to a mobile-first world, with an optional handset. Elara also supports several Poly headsets, including the lightweight Voyager 5200 pictured here.

My team’s role: We were responsible for Industrial Design (early concept direction, not execution), embedded UI/HMI design, mobile app design, usability testing, ergonomic development and testing, and summative design validation research.

My role: Creative Direction / Team Leadership

Calisto 800 Smart Speakerphone

Calisto was designed as the collaboration hub for the remote worker, and is the result of an innovation program undertaken to identify new product opportunities for Plantronics.

This was a design-driven, user-centered program that started with contextual inquiry, was informed by authentic user insights throughout the process, and resulted in several commercialized products. One of those products is the Calisto Smart Speakerphone and Bluetooth microphone - a system targeted at the growing number of home-based knowledge workers. I led both the Industrial Design and UX efforts.

The Calisto 800, connects to a PC and mobile phone, providing the user with a singular UI solution. This solves the user’s number one paint point: Too many user interfaces to manage.

The Bluetooth wireless lapel microphone allows the user to "roam" within her/his environment while on long calls, ensuring that their voice always sound perfectly clear on the other end.

Plantronics also offers an accessory version of the wireless lapel microphone with a case, for travel and/or additional systems.

Capri Case Study Image Gallary Size DARK.png — Calisto Case Study

Click for a deep dive on the design process…

My team’s role: We were responsible for the up-front formative research (working with a consultant to identify the product opportunity and existing user behavior), Industrial Design, embedded UI/HMI design, usability testing, ergonomic development and testing, and summative design validation research.

My role: UX & Industrial Design Lead / Team Leadership

Plantronics RIG Gaming Mixer & Headset

The Plantronics RIG stereo mixer and headset system allows the gamer to integrate a smartphone into her/his gaming experience.

The user is able to switch and mix between the phone's music library (for a personal gaming soundtrack), telephony and/or SMS (for "back-channel” communications) and switch/mix between game sound and chat. The mixer also includes a 3-channel EQ, specifically tuned for gaming.

The RIG mixer established a new paradigm by integrating the mobile phone into the console and PC gaming experience - it may look complex, but the UI is designed for hardcore gamers who truly embrace configurability.

RIG products are supported by the RIG application, available for PC gaming systems. The software provides firmware updates and user-configurable settings.

Because audio mixing can be complex, our team conducted multiple rounds of usability testing, ensuring that users could create appropriate mental models for successfully navigating the system.

My team’s role: We were responsible for the up-front formative research (working with a consultant to identify the product opportunity and existing user behavior), embedded UI/HMI design, PC app design, usability testing, and ergonomic development and testing.

My role: Creative Direction / Team Leadership

Plantronics Voyager Pro

The Voyager Pro was designed for users demanding the very best sound, comfort, fit and stability in a mono Bluetooth headset. The goal was to design a successor to the popular Voyager 510 (Plantronics iconic mobile headset) while improving on every measurable characteristic.

Key opportunity areas included an overall reduction in size, a more intuitive UI, better ergonomics and a more contemporary design. Due to the significance of the program, I was asked to lead the design effort myself (in addition to my role as Design Director). The biggest challenge was that we were competing with the success of the Voyager Pro's predecessor - the program mantra was "don't break anything".

For a more detailed story about the development of the Voyager Pro, please read my LinkedIn article: Reimagining an Icon

Early sketches - John Ledingham + One & Co

Early sketch - John Ledingham, Plantronics Design

Early sketch - John Ledingham + Lifestyle Design

3D surfaces - John Ledingham, Plantronics Design

My team’s role: We were responsible for Industrial Design, embedded UI/HMI design, usability testing, ergonomic development and testing, and summative design validation research.

My role: UX & Industrial Design Lead / Team Leadership

Other Plantronics Products

I've worked on a wide variety of products at Plantronics. In some cases I've been the creative director and, in other cases, I've been the hands-on designer. The following represents a cross-section of "other" work that I've completed during my tenure with Plantronics.

Calisto 6200 Speakerphone

This small, portable speakerphone delivers high-quality audio for the smartphone and PC, providing two ways to connect: Corded and Bluetooth.

The Calisto 6200 is intended for travel, small huddle rooms, and/or the desktop. The biggest design challenge was squeezing an appropriate acoustic volume into a very small form-factor. Our team had to make a number of compromises along the way, but this relatively low-cost speakerphone packs a lot of performance into a very small package.

Early concept rendering - John Ledingham, Plantronics Design

Control surfaces - John Ledingham, Plantronics Design

My role: UX & Industrial Design Lead / Team Leadership

BackBeat PRO, BackBeat PRO 2 & Voyager 8200

These three headsets represent an evolution in terms of physical design, acoustic performance, UI/HMI and ergonomics. My team was responsible for the UI design and ergonomics of all three generations of the Voyager Pro line.

The Voyager 8200, the latest incarnation of the platform, adds more microphones for better audio which allows it to be Microsoft Certified with Skype for Business (a very high bar). The price-point of these products has allowed us to experiment with richer HMI solutions, like physical dials for Volume and Track control.

My team’s role: We were responsible for embedded UI/HMI design, usability testing, ergonomic development and testing, and summative design validation research.

My role: Creative Direction / Team Leadership

Poly (Plantronics + Polycom) Audio Portfolio

Our UX team has been responsible for the HMI/UI design, and ergonomics, of nearly all recent Plantronics products.

In some cases we've conducted exhaustive HF testing and ergonomic development, in other cases we've focused on the physical controls and interoperability with Plantronics' mobile apps. All of the products below have been affected, to some extent, by our team.

My team’s role: Various

My role: Various

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